BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) --- Even though the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy is hundreds of miles away, Mainers have been stepping in to lend a hand.

A team of seven rangers from the Maine Forest Service just returned from a two week mission to New York where they were helping survivors of the storm get aid. They were joined by two members of the Washington County Sheriff Department.

Forest ranger Kent Nelson says the team set up a mobile command unit in Brooklyn. They were there to help the New York National Guard coordinate aid to people on the Rockaway Peninsula--one of the areas hardest hit by Sandy.

Nelson says responders checked on residents in about 200 high rise buildings over a five day period.

"We were glad to learn from the experience," he said, "and if we ever have a disaster like that in Maine, we have our experience and we also made a lot of friends down there in New York...I'm sure they would come here without any hesitation to help us out."

For their efforts the rangers were awarded a special coin from New York City's Office of Emergency Management.